7
• The Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert #49: Safe Use of Opioids in
Hospitals
– Create and implement processes that allow for a second level
review of pain management plans that include high-risk opioids by a
pain management specialist or pharmacist
• Society of Hospital Medicine Improving Pain Management for Hospitalized
Medical Patients – Implementation Guide
– Establish a core team: Those with expertise in pain management
and quality improvement with nursing, pharmacy and physician
representation
– Ensure safe and appropriate opioid prescribing: consider requiring
specialist pain consultant or pharmacist involvement for high-risk
medications (methadone)
• CDC Guidelines for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain
– Promote integrated pain management and collaborative working
relationships with other providers (e.g., behavioral health,
pharmacists, and pain management specialists)”
Supporting evidence